How to Use a Circular Saw: Long Cuts

Learn how to safely saw boards freehand, cut plywood with a straightedge guide and build a ripping jig for accurate cutting with a circular saw

Learn how to use a circular saw to quickly and accurately cut long boards and plywood. Plus, we've included plans for a handy cutting guide attachment for your saw.

By the DIY experts of The Family Handyman Magazine
:October 2001

TIME

Instant!

COMPLEXITY

Simple

COST

Under $20

Step-by-Step

Saw boards freehand

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Photo 1: Secure the board

Secure the board for cutting lengthwise by nailing it to sawhorses. Position one finish nail at each end near the edge of the board and away from the path of the blade. Pound the nails flush to the surface.

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Photo 2: Draw a guideline

Draw a guideline parallel to the edge of the board with a combination square and pencil. Press the fence of the combination square snug against the board as you slide it along.

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Photo 3: Carefully position your finger

Position your forefinger under the saw shoe and tight to the edge of the board and pinch the shoe of the saw between your thumb and forefinger. Now make sure the saw blade is 1 in. back from uncut wood and start the saw. Guide the saw along the line, sliding your forefinger along the edge of the board as you cut.

Even if your woodworking is limited to an occasional weekend project, you'll eventually need to cut a narrow piece from a long board or sheet of plywood. Sawing long boards is easy if you own a table saw. But you can also do it accurately with a good circular saw. In fact, it's usually easier to cut long pieces of plywood with a circular saw and a straightedge than to wrestle unwieldy sheets through a table saw. A circular saw won't cut as smoothly as a table saw, but with a couple of techniques, a little finesse and some practice, you can cut almost as accurately. Sound farfetched? Not really—pros do it all the time. We'll show you how to use a circular saw to quickly and accurately cut long boards and plywood, and give you plans for a handy cutting guide attachment for your saw.

Nail down the board and use your finger as a guide—carefully!
This is a quick way to cut a few 2- to 4-in. strips, but if you have to cut narrow strips often, build the jig shown on p. 32. For this method, you must nail the board directly to the sawhorses with finish nails (Photo 1). Use 4d finish nails for 3/4-in. thick wood and 8d finish nails for 1-1/2 in. boards. Then mark the board and cut it to width (Photos 2 and 3). This method results in a board of consistent width and parallel sides whether the board you're cutting from is straight or crooked. If you want to create a straight edge on a crooked board, mark the board with a straightedge or chalk line instead.

Position your hand on the wide section of the saw shoe, not on the narrow side near the blade, and grip the shoe with your forefinger and thumb. Your forefinger acts as a guide. As you cut, direct pressure straight ahead through the handle of the saw, and concentrate on the line. If the saw starts to wander from the line, back up to about 6 in. behind where you first strayed from the line and start again. Before you squeeze the switch to restart the cut, make sure the saw blade is perfectly aligned in the kerf and maintain a firm grip in case the blade catches and jerks the saw. Good follow-through is the secret to an accurate finish. Guide the saw beyond the end of the board as if the line continued.

Caution!

Don't use this method If the board is splintery or if your finger will be closer than 3 in. from the saw blade.

Cut plywood with a straightedge guide

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Photo 1: Clamp a straightedge

Clamp a straightedge to a scrap of lumber. Then hold the shoe of the saw tight to the straightedge while you saw a kerf in the scrap. Measure and record the exact distance between the straightedge and the inside edge of the saw kerf.

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Photo 2: Measure and mark

Measure and mark the desired width of the cut board. Then use the measurement obtained in Photo 1 to make a second set of marks for the straightedge on the “keeper” side of the first marks. Align the straightedge with the second set of marks and clamp it tight.

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Photo 3: Slide the saw's shoe

Slide the saw's shoe against the straightedge to rip the plywood. To ensure a straight cut, press the saw firmly against the straightedge as you push it along.

Clamp a straightedge for super-straight cuts

Clamp a perfectly straight board or metal straightedge to a sheet of plywood to make cabinet-quality straight cuts. The key is to align the straightedge at exactly the right distance from the cutting line (Photo 2) and keep the saw shoe tight to the straightedge as you cut. Photo 1 shows how to make a test cut and measure the distance from the edge of the shoe to the edge of the blade. Measure carefully and record the dimension for reference. Then offset the straightedge from the cutting line by this distance (Photo 2).

When you begin a cut, barely nick the plywood with the blade to make sure the blade just touches the outside edge of the cutting mark. Move both ends of the straightedge slightly to adjust the cut if necessary, then reclamp it. At the beginning of the cut, press the front of the saw shoe against the straightedge. At the end of the cut, keep the back of the shoe tight until the cut is complete.

Tip:

Clamp the straightedge on the piece of plywood you'll be keeping. This way, if the saw accidentally wanders from the straightedge, it won't ruin the piece you're keeping.

Building a Ripping Guide

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Photo 1: Using the jig

Measure between the blade and the fence to set the width of the rip and tighten the Wing-Nuts. Measure at both the front and back edges of the blade to align the fence parallel to the blade. Clamp or tack the board to sawhorses and slide the saw and jig the full length of the board.

A jig for narrow strips
If you don't own a table saw, you can build the guide shown in Fig. A and attach it to your circular saw. It helps you to cut narrow strips (1/2 in. to 6 in. wide) with near table-saw precision (Photo 1). You may have to modify it to fit your saw's shoe. It takes about an hour to build.

Cut the plywood base and pieces carefully to make sure they have parallel sides and square corners. Make the slots and the hole for the blade and blade guard by first drilling 3/8-in. holes in the corners and then cutting between them with a jigsaw. Set the base over the fence and align one long edge. Then snug the rails up to the sides of the base and screw them to the fence with 7/8-in. screws. The completed fence assembly should fit snugly and slide easily. Connect the fence to the base with carriage bolts and attach the saw shoe to the base with small screws. Drill 5/32-in. holes in your saw shoe and attach the guide with 5/8-in. screws.

Figure A: Jig for Narrow Strips

This guide allows you to cut narrow strips with your circular saw.

Safety First

Making long cuts can be dangerous. Before you try it, read the following safety precautions.